There is a new Made in California podcast episode out that features how small businesses in northern California have been affected by the recent wildfires and the extended PG&E PSPS power shut off.
This interview is a conversation with Mary Anne Petrillo CEO of West Business Development Center, and Isabel Guzman from Governor Newsom’s Office, Director of GO-Biz of the Small Business Advocate and Aspen Logan, co-owner of The Color Mill in Fort Bragg, California. This interview took place during the recent power outage, where communities in northern California were without power for numerous days.
Topics ranged from Governor Newsom’s office working with the CPU on future plans, to the local level disaster preparedness responses, were explored. Mary Anne Petrillo talked about the impact the PG&E PSPS power shut off had on the small businesses in Mendocino County and evaluated the effects. From the local fire station, where she could get internet, Mary Anne Petrillo was able to keep her finger on the pulse of the situation and witnessed the support local community members and businesses gave each other. It was noted, as with many rural communities, Mendocino County has a history of innovation and problem-solving. Aspen Logan shared her insights of being a small business owner during the PG&E PSPS power shut off, unable to operate but giving support where possible.
You can listen to the full interview here on SoundCloud, here on Apple Podcast, and here on Twitter.
West Business Development Center has a special Emergency Preparedness Workshop, which was developed for small businesses to plan for an event such as was faced during the PG&E PSPS power shut off. Find out more about the Emergency Preparedness Workshop here.
About Made in California Podcast:
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) serves as the State of California’s leader for job growth and economic development efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of services to business owners including: attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, and much more. For more information visit, www.business.ca.gov.
Free Business Advising at West Business Development Center
If you are a business of one or a company of 100 employees, at any stage from startup to established, WestBDC offers free business advising — on whatever topic you might be stuck on. If it’s finding the right loan to expand, staffing your business with the right people or even just wading through new minimum wage requirements, we have experts ready to help you right now.
Click here to sign up for free advising. We’ll schedule a free, thirty-minute call and then we’ll assign you the free expert advisor you need.
See how these successful businesses set up, grew and expanded with West Business Development Center Free Advising services:
MendoTechNet, Ukiah and Lakeport
Are you a woman-owned business?
Please join us for our monthly networking events where you can meet other women entrepreneurs and share best practices, knowledge and make friends.
Women’s Mendopreneurs Empowerment Night – November 8th, Fort Bragg
If you are a women-owned business and are interested in hosting Women’s Mendopreneurs Empowerment Night we would love to hear from you! Send us an email at events@westcenter.org
